Hanahan High lockdown lifted, suspicious person taken to hospital for evaluation

A “suspicious person” was taken to Medical University Hospital for evaluation after prompting a school lockdown by telling an officer he had drugs and meth-making materials in his bookbag.

Lt. Michael Fowler said nothing but trash was found in the bag. The man, whose identity was not immediately released, “was acting in a way that made officers believe he wasn’t quite right,” which is why he was taken to the hospital, Fowler said.

Hanahan High School was on administrative lockdown from 3 p.m. to about 4:50 p.m. Tuesday because of the encounter, according to Berkeley County School District spokeswoman Aimee Murray.

School dismisses at 3:30 p.m. She was unsure how many students and staff members were inside.

Fowler said the man was first spotted by a school official on Murray Drive. When approached by an officer, the man said he had a number of drugs in his bag and “a gift for law enforcement.”

The fire department and bomb squad also responded. Fowler said it was not yet known whether or not charges would be filed.